Vice President/Senior Director of Agriculture, Business Development

The VP/Senior Director of Agriculture, Business Development will focus on ecosystem building and developing innovative strategies to attract companies and their suppliers by promoting Illinois as a premier business destination and showcasing Illinois agricultural innovation and resources. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Business Development, this position will work closely with farmers, agriculture startups, and food processors to bring new business opportunities that strengthen Illinois' position as a leader in next-generation agriculture.

Position Description

Additional Information

Responsibilities:

• Building Agriculture, AgTech and food processing ecosystem by partnering with current players in the industry
• Develop initiatives to strengthen the ecosystem and foster future growth
• Develop and lead efforts to attract and retain Agriculture, AgTech and food processing companies in Illinois
•  Manage business recruitment projects in this industry
• This person will need to position themselves as a public thought leader in this industry for Illinois
• Work with farmers, agricultural startups, and companies to identify growth opportunities in Illinois’s agricultural sector.
• Collaborate with the site readiness team to identify locations for new business establishment or expansion opportunities
• Some travel required

• Strong background in agriculture, AgTech, and/or food processing
• Extensive project management skills and the ability to lead cross-functional teams
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with business leaders, key community stakeholders, and government officials
• Deep knowledge of agricultural technologies and market trends
• Proven track record of attracting, retaining, or expanding businesses
• Public speaking experience